SP: In a bid towards reconciliation among the East Timorese, members of
pro-integration fighters are slated to meet with members of Falintil in
Bali for two days (May 5 and 6, 2001). At least 16 members of former
pro-integration fighters, including the former vice- commander, Eurico
Guterres, will attend the meeting, said Joanico Cesario, former commander
of Sector A in Kupang on Wednesday (3/5). Amnesty and reconciliation will
be on the agenda of the meeting. As a follow up action of the meeting,
there will be exchange visits made by the two groups. FDTL (another pro-independece
group) will also visit West Timor to meet with the refugees at the camps.
Upsala University and UNTAET are the parties to facilitate the meeting.

SP: Staff from the Coordinating Minister for Political, Social, and
Security Affairs is scheduled to meet with the Head of Transmigration and
Manpower Office of NTT to discuss technical matters prior to the
registration of refugees in June this year. The meeting will be conducted
on May 5th but the ministry official will meet with Police Chief (Kapolda)
of NTT, Brig. Gen. Jacky Uly. Separately, UNTAS spokesperson, Mario
Vieira, SE stated that UNTAS would delegate 13 members from different
regencies to attend the meeting. Mario appealed to any party attending the
meeting not to use the term 'option' since the word is associated with
past trauma.

RT: Police Chief, Brig. Gen. Jacky Uly was upset with the controversy
around the bomb found recently at the Bishop of Atambua's residence. As
clarification, he furiously stated that the bomb found was fake and was
assembled to look like a bomb to terrorise the people of Atambua, Belu.
The commander stated that as former Gegana (Special Bomb Expert Force)
Commander for four years, and having studied things related to bombs in
Britain, he had sufficient expertise to state that the bomb was fake. He
had delegated Kadit IPP Polda NTT, Chief Commr. Hidayat Fabanyo to give
clarification of the bomb to the bishop and the people of Atambua.

RT: The position of Borderline Security Taskforce Commander was handed
over from Let Col. Irwan Kusnadi to Let.Col. Magna Chandra. Commander of
Army Reserve Strategic Command (Pangkostrad). Let. Gen. Ryamizard Raycudu
affirmed this replacement saying that the ceremony will take place in the
taskforce base in Haliwen Village Atambua, Belu. People assume that the
replacement was done since Commander Kusnadi was considered to have failed
in handling existing borderline problems such as smuggling, illegal trade,
and illegal crossing of the borders. Let. Gen. Raycudu refuted this saying
that the replacement was a regular exercise in TNI and had nothing to do
with the persisting problems at the border. Pangkostrad also denied
rumours saying that TNI had dispatched elite troops at the border in a bid
to reoccupy East Timor.

RT: At about 11am yesterday (03/05), Commander of Army Reserve
Strategic Command, Let. Gen. Ryamizard Raycudu attended a farewell
ceremony for his two deceased subordinates; 1st let. S. Bakara and Chief
Brig. Mustafa, before the corpses were flied to their homeland. The two
military members died following an incident occurring at Mahata Post two
days ago . 1st Let. Bakara, believed to be greatly depressed, had shot his
subordinate, Chief. Brig. Mustafa, before committing suicide. Mustafa was
referred to the hospital but later died there.

RT: Col. Neil Tompson, Australian Defence attach‚ for Indonesia,
admitted that the situation in West Timor had improved, and he promised to
report this to the Australian Embassy to help revoke the UN Security Phase
V status in the area.The attach‚ visited East-West Timor border-town,
Atambua, taking land route from Kupang, and admitted that the situation
was really conducive.

RT: Refugees are delighted with the planned visit by Bishop Baucau, Amo
Basilio do Nascimento to West Timor. They expressed their readiness to
welcome the bishop and considered the visit as a hope towards a true
reconciliation. Bishop Amo Basilio is a respected figure among the
refugees, his words would always be obeyed.

5th May

NTT X: In an opening speech at the hand-over ceremony of the Borderline
Security Taskforce Commander, Commander of Army Reserve Strategic Command
(Pangkostrad). Let. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu stated that Kostrad has to
perform its mission to prevent the country from disintegration. With
sufficient ability obtained from the special training they have been
through, Kostrad troops should be able to prevent particular groups to
attempt disintegration of the country, Let. Gen, Ryacudu added.

PK: Speaking to the press in Atambua on Friday (05/4) Commander of Army
Reserve Strategic Command (Pangkostrad) . Let. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu
underscored that the Kostrad troops would be pulled out from East-West
Timor borderline area if the security situation in the area is considered
favourable. The commander also reminded all his subordinates not to be
influenced by the incident which occurred last week on two members of the
Kostrad troops. Pangkostrad visited Atambua to attend the hand over
ceremony of the Borderline Taskforce Commander.

ST: Speaking after the hand over ceremony of Borderline Taskforce in
Atambua on Friday (15/4), Pangkostrad, Let.Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu admitted
that he was really taken aback to hear the triple A scenario rumour
(scenario to create the same violence in Atambua as what has happened in
Aceh and Ambon) spread around in West Timor. The commander called on the
people not to be easily provoked by the rumours.

ST: The Secretary of Refugees' Affairs Taskforce, Let. Col (Air force)
Suwandi stated that the taskforce would end its duty after the
registration of refugees in June this year. The Taskforce's service could
be extended only if Satkorlak is considered not ready to take over from
the Taskforce. Suwandi also enumerated the reasons of registration
postponement such as the registration fund amounting to Rp.1 billion, yet
to be disbursed and the lack of technical preparation of the registration
process. On 21st of May, there will be an information dissemination
session throughout the camps to inform requirements for the refugees to
meet in order to participate in the registration.

RT: Asked by journalists regarding the increasing frequency of illegal
crossing at the border, Wirasakti Military Commander Col. Budi Heriyanto
stated that the only way to cope with illegal crossing is for both forces,
TNI and UNPKF, to unite and increase coordination in preventing the
illegal crossing. Lack of personnel to secure the borderline that
stretches out by 145 km is one of the obstacles faced by TNI, said Col.
Heryanto. At present, the exercises done by the TNI to prevent the illegal
crossing are conducting regular patrols and keeping a watch on suspicious
sites of illegal crossing.

7th May

SP: The spokesperson of UNTAET, Barbara Reis, told the press on Friday
(4/5) that the institution had proposed funds for security amounting to
$2.3 million for the process of the forthcoming election in East Timor.
The funds would be allocated to purchase a number of firearms. Separately,
Sergio de Melo, Head of UNTAET in East Timor, asserted that the election
would still be conducted on the planned date, 30th August 2001, despite
escalating tension in Dili with regards to several recent criminal cases.

NTT X: Wirasakti Military Commander, Col. Budi Heriyanto was quoted as
saying that the refugees who report to the taskforce of their return will
arrive safely. This is different to those who take illegal entries that
are likely to face trouble when they arrive. This is because in the
official repatriation the Borderline Security Taskforce would continually
coordinate with related parties in East Timor making sure the returnees
arrive safely to their homes. Commander, Heriyanto gave example of the
former military member returnees who are now living peacefully in their
villages.

RT: The argument regarding the inclusion of options in the registration
for refugees has ended. Secretary General of UNTAS, Ir. Filomeno de Jesus
Hornay said that all the refugees housing in West Timor had agreed to
include the options in the registration process for June of this year.
Speaking after the meeting of the East Timorese people with the Central
Registration Working Group last weekend, Hornay informed that the
agreement was reached after the Central Working Group explained to the
participants the reasons to include the options in the registration. The
meeting also agreed to use the term 'Alternative' (pilihan) instead of
'options'. Hornay admitted that although both words, semantically, are not
different, the word 'option' for the refugees is associated with the past
trauma.

PK: The distribution of refugees' side-dish money for those sheltering
in North Central Timor Regency is underway. Speaking at his office on
Friday (4/5), Head of Social Division of District Secretary Office,
Benediktus Banu affirmed this by saying that approximately Rp. 1.8 million
is being distributed for refugees throughout villages in the regency. Each
refugee is to receive Rp. 75.000. Meanwhile, a number of refugees have
reportedly complained that their side-dish money was cut by Rp.5000 by
village staff. Banu regretted such act and promised to reprimand staff and
take action.

ST: UN Civilian Police have managed to apprehend a number of persons
allegedly involved in the attack of Xanana Gusmao's wife, Mrs. Kristy
Sword Gusmao on April 24th. An Australian activist, known only as Helen,
was also reportedly attacked by a number of people three days before the
attack to Mrs. Gusmao. These people are under investigation by the police
for their alleged involvement in a number of violence acts recently, said
spokesperson of UN Civilian Police, Luis Carilho.

RT: The reconciliation meeting in Denpasar reached a deadlock after
members of both East Timor National Parliament (CNRT) and Former Pro-
integration Fighters could not compromise on principle issues regarding
the reconciliation process. As quoted by Antara on Sunday night (6/5),
Chief of CNRT Reconciliation Committee, Fransisco da Costa Guterres said
that during the two-day meeting both parties failed to produce converging
points of the substantial problems faced by the East Timorese for
reconciliation. Gutteres admitted that after the ballot in 1999
communication among the East Timorese was ruined and this resulted in the
unresolved problems towards the reconciliation. The meeting facilitated by
the Catholic Central Information and Appraisal, Flores and Upsalla
University, Sweden, only agreed on the importance to establish
communication and trust between the two parties.

9th May

SP: The pro-integrationist organisation for the East Timorese ,UNTAS,
rejects the idea to try Eurico Gutteres, former pro-integration fighter
leader in East Timor. Deputy of Law and Human Rights in UNTAS, Hukman Reni,
told Sasando Pos, on Tuesday (8/5) that the rejection was based on the
status of East Timor now as the transitional government that is yet to
gain its independence. Moreover, a trial to a foreign citizen could only
be done if there is an extradition agreement between the two countries, he
added.

PK/RT: Security forces of the UNPKF and the TNI military were involved
in a dispute over a borderline issue on Saturday (5/5). The incident
occurred at Dilumil Kampong (village) in Lamaknen subdistrict, Belu
Regency adjacent to Bobonaro District, East Timor. Contacted on Tuesday
(8/5) Yonif 131 Military Commander, Let. Col. Agung Rijdihanto admitted
that there was a bit of tension between members of two forces last weekend
but did not result in a gunfight. A commander-level meeting was then held
the following day (6/5) to resolve the problem. The incident began when a
number of Australian UNPKF soldiers, just assigned to East Timor for a few
days, were considered by TNI to have crossed the border. They crossed a
creek at Dilumil Kampong to interrogate some villagers. As reported by the
villagers, TNI soldiers rushed to the site at once and the dispute began.
The commanders decided to discuss further the issue in the routine meeting
between the two forces.

RT: The Indonesian government has already decided to conduct the
refugees registration on 6th of June of this year and this would not be
changed. Vice Governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Johanis Pake Pani stated
this yesterday. He explained further that the plans for registration had
been delayed three times due to financial problems. He asserted that the
registration would still take place as planned. The working group for
registration has begun surveying locations of the registration throughout
the regencies and has also began recruiting prospective registration
staff.

NTT X: A brawl among the refugees occurred at the office of Kupang
Municipality on Tuesday (8/5) after a meeting discussing aid distribution
mechanism. The fighting occurred due to a disagreement between two groups
of refugees over the mechanism decided in the meeting. A bad turn of
events was prevented since the police were quick to separate the
conflicting groups. The meeting, also attended by village heads in Kupang,
decided to implement a 'one gate' (Satu Pintu) system for aid
distribution.

10th May

ST: Refugees residing in Belu regency were disappointed with the fact
that the Police of Belu (Polres) have yet to submit the revised dossier of
refugees' aid fund scandal involving three members of Belu legislative
assembly to the state attorney office. Police were given until 15th of May
to complete the dossier.

ST: Former commander of pro-integration fighters' Security Force, Joao
Tavares, warned other former members and commanders not to hamper the
registration process to be conducted throughout the regencies. Those who
breach this will receive stern measures. Tavares responded to the rumours
by saying that pro-integration members are planning to disturb the
registration process using provoking statements to corner former members
and commanders of pro-integration groups. He added that the registration
is important to be conducted to find out the exact number of refugees
residing in West Timor, and to know the refugees' stance of whether to
return home or become Indonesian citizens. Tavaras guaranteed that the
registration process would run smoothly without any disturbance.

RT: A communication forum among entrepreneurs of East Nusa Tenggara,
East Timor and Australia are planning to lobby Ansett, an Australian
private airline company, to operate Kupang-Darwin flights. This idea came
after Indonesian Airlines; Merpati Nusantara, halted their operation of
Kupang-Darwin flights due to financial losses it suffered. As it was
reported previously, starting from 5th of May 2001, Merpati Nusantara
Airlines terminated their Kupang-Darwin flight after the analysis
conducted by its marketing division stated that the airlines had suffered
great losses due to the decreased number of passengers in its flights.
Other alternatives would be to lobby other Indonesian airlines such as
Garuda Indonesia, Mandala Air Service, or Pelita Air Service. However, the
forum appealed to Merpati Airlines to reappraise the decision and
recommence the flight route.

RT: According to data held by UNTAS, the number of refugees residing in
West Timor is 112,243 persons. However, UNTAS still considers the plan to
conduct the refugees' registration in June as necessary. Deputy of
People's Welfare, UNTAS, Mrs. Noberta Bello stated this on a radio talk
show yesterday in Kupang. However, data released by UNHCR showed that at
least 175,000 refugees had returned home either on UNHCR and IOM
facilitation, or on their own initiatives. This means there will be only
75,000 refugees out of the 200,000 refugees who fled to West Timor
post-ballot in 1999, that still remain in West Timor.

SP: As of 4th of May, the International Organization for Migration
(IOM) has officially repatriated the refugees from West Timor to East
Timor as many as 133,365 persons through land or sea route, said Head of
IOM Kupang, Suparanto to Sasando Pos on Wednesday (9/5). Concerning the
plan to replace Passenger Ship, Patricia Ane Hotung to repatriate the
refugees, Suparanto said that the ship has yet to return to Hong Kong,
therefore the plan will be put off until the ship sets sail for Hong Kong.

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